As the wait forKingdom Hearts 4continues, many have wondered what is in store for the next entry in Square Enix’s long-running franchise. While there is hope forKingdom Hearts 4to arrive soon, the recent delay ofKingdom Hearts Missing-Linkcould signal trouble for the series' secretive plans. The abrupt delay has left no release date in sight for a newKingdom Heartstitle, which meansKingdom Hearts 4may, unfortunately, be further away than one might hope.
Originally,Missing-Linkwas supposed to launch before the end of the year, but anofficial announcement from Square Enixvia X revealed a change of plans. The announcement states, “While preparing for the launch ofKingdom Hearts Missing-Link, we have made the difficult decision to delay the release.” There wasn’t a clear reason given in the address, which is worrying. Even more concerning, though, is that Square Enix did not say what the new launch target would be. Instead of any official window of time, the company simply stated, “We appreciate your patience. Please look forward to further information.” Now that the road ahead forKingdom Heartslooks more unclear than it did,Kingdom Hearts 4may also need more time in production.
Kingdom Hearts Missing-Link’s Delay Makes the Release of Kingdom Hearts 4 Even More Mysterious
Two Kingdom Hearts Projects Kept in the Dark
AlthoughKingdom Hearts 4is the game many fans of the series are most excited by, the concept ofMissing-Linkis a compelling change to the franchise formula. Instead of a classic action RPG,Missing-Linkis GPS-based mobile game likePokemon GO. The game promises a GPS Mode that works locally and a Touch Mode that allows players to explore other locations across the globe.AKingdom Heartslocation-based mobile gameis an intriguing prospect, but those who were eager for its upcoming release now have no clear launch to look forward to. There are plenty of questions regarding both projects, but the biggest one is whether the two stories are connected or not.
The Downside of Both Games Potentially Being Connected
IfMissing-Linkdirectly ties into the story ofKingdom Hearts 4, the release date of the latter could fully rely on the former being launched first. While there have beensneak peeks ofMissing-Link, much of the story’s plot points are still unknown. Of course, the idea ofMissing-LinkandKingdom Hearts 4being connected is pure speculation, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility. Moments and concepts inMissing-Linkcould set the stage for some ofKingdom Hearts 4’s story, which makes this delay a frustrating obstacle.
Silence Surrounding Kingdom Hearts Could Signal a Longer Wait For Fans
Square Enix’s Popular Series Lies Dormant
Since the last mainline entry ofKingdom Hearts 3, many have been awaiting what the next chapter holds. Fromanticipating new Disney-based worldsto Sora’s place in the story, the franchise has found itself in an update drought, which makes the bad news of thisMissing-Linkdelay sting all the more. Of course,Missing-LinkandKingdom Hearts 4could be completely separate stories, meaning the latter could still be on track for its yet-to-be-announced release window.
Franchise creator Tetsuya Nomura recently revealed that he is considering retirement.
It’s unclear just how muchMissing-Link’s delay affectsKingdom Hearts 4, but hopefully the impact isn’t much. Only time will tell if this change of plans shakes upKingdom Hearts 4’s production, but until Square Enix makes a statement, the game is hopefully still on schedule.
Kingdom Hearts 4
Kingdom Hearts 4 is an action RPG developed by Square Enix and represents the fifteenth installment in the franchise. Players once again are put in the shoes of Sora who is suddenly trapped in a more realistic world called Quadratum, with companions like Donald and Goofy attempting to rescue him. Kingdom Hearts 4 is a direct sequel to Kingdom Hearts 3 and Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory.
